The defence PSU has also produced 135 Dornier-228 aircraft. The Navy has placed orders for 12 more. The task will be completed by 2019-20.

Light Utility Helicopter

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), which had its maiden flight in September 2016 and flew again at the airshow inaugural, is expected to complete the certification process by 2018. Deliveries could begin by 2019-20.

Light Combat Helicopter

The Defence Acquisition Council, he said, has cleared procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). Ten of these are for IAF and five for the Army. HAL is also producing 20 Cheetal helicopters for the Army and 10 more are in the pipeline for IAF.

On the Hindustan Turboprop Trainer (HTT), Raju said the company expected orders for 106 aircraft, to be used for basic training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close-formation flights.

Mini UAVs

Progressing on the Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) front, HAL has developed an 80-kg product with a 15-km day/night range capability. “It is now production-ready for the police, paramilitary services and armed forces,” informed Raju.

HAL is investing Rs 210 crore on Rustom-2 with Aeronautical Defence Establishment as partner. It has already partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur to develop a rotary UAV. “Our plan is to get into the 50, 200 and 500 kg class UAVs.”

Highest turnover

HAL has notched up its highest ever turnover of Rs 16,736 crore for 2015-16, a 7.14% growth over the previous year. “Profit before tax was Rs 3,288 crore. The current year’s target is Rs 17,100 crore. Our sales till January stood at Rs 10,086 crore,” the CMD informed.